Tag Archives: Consumer brands

Gambling.com Group Secures $15.5M Growth Investment from Edison Partners

Edison Partners

Funds will create the leading performance marketing business for American online gambling

 

Gambling.com Group Plc (“Gambling.com Group” or the “Group”) today entered into an agreement with Edison Partners (“Edison”) regarding a $15.5 million investment into the equity of Gambling.com Group Plc (the “Group” or “Gambling.com Group”). Edison is a growth equity investment firm which manages more than $1.4 billion in assets and is based in New Jersey, the new hub of regulated online gambling in America.

 

The agreement represents one of the most significant deals between a U.S. private equity fund and a performance marketing company focused on online gambling and sports betting. Gambling.com Group is the fastest growing and one of the most awarded leaders in performance marketing for the global online gambling industry with a particular focus on European markets. The Group expects the U.S. market to grow in size to rival that of the current European one in the coming years.

Charles Gillespie, Chief Executive of Gambling.com Group, says, “We have been thoroughly impressed by Edison Partners’ depth of expertise, breadth of knowledge and professional network. We greatly look forward to bringing on Edison as our teammate in our new American journey. Edison is the right partner at the right time, and I expect our collaboration to deliver powerful results. Their investment in the Group validates our thesis that we are the performance marketing and content platform best positioned to benefit from the expansion of regulated online gambling in the United States.”

 

The addition of Edison Partners to the Group’s list of investors gives the Group a strategic American growth equity partner who will help advance the Group’s objectives, particularly in its home state of New Jersey and throughout its network in the northeastern United States. As the National Football League officially kicks off, 13 states now take legal sports bets, with at least six more slated to take bets in the coming months.

 

“We are thrilled to enter the online gaming market with our investment in Gambling.com Group,” said Chris Sugden, Managing Partner at Edison Partners. “The company will continue to monetize the large market opportunity in Europe while increasing investment in the U.S. Online gaming is expanding significantly as regulations are modified on a state-by-state basis.”

The Group has been executing a comprehensive plan to be the leading performance marketing company within the regulated online gambling sector in the United States since before the invalidation of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018. The Group’s flagship website Gambling.com is already active in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and the Group is investing substantial resources in Bookies.com to make it the pre-eminent source of sports betting information in the United States. The Group has secured licenses to expand business deals with gambling operators in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia and has broadened its footprint with key management hires, a new office in Charlotte, North Carolina, and by becoming the first sports betting media group to be accepted as members of the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).

“Attention to sports gambling in the U.S. is booming, and we are building out a robust content team, offering products to match that interest,” Gambling.com Group Director of North American Content Gerry Ahern said. “On Bookies.com we are providing a real-time lens for sports fans that educates, entertains and informs them as they explore legal wagering options. On Gambling.com we are keeping the audience up to date with industry news and the latest in legislation as more states come online and more fans are served.”

Proceeds will be used by the Group for general corporate purposes with a view to accelerating certain investments in the United States market.

“With an exceptionally strong brand, robust content creation strategy, player-focused editorial point of view and proven marketing capabilities, Gambling.com Group is well positioned to become the leading provider of new customers to U.S.-based online sportsbook and iGaming operators,” said Gregg Michaelson, Partner at Edison Partners, who will sit on the company’s board of directors after the transaction closes. “Gambling.com Group founder and CEO Charles Gillespie is an industry leading business operator who brings the same ethical and compliant approach to the U.S. gaming market as he has in Europe.”

About Gambling.com Group Plc
Gambling.com Group Plc is a multi-award winning provider of digital marketing services for the global iGaming industry. Founded in 2006, the group has a workforce of more than 110 and operates from offices in Dublin, Charlotte, Tampa and Malta. The group publishes websites that offer comparisons and reviews of online gambling websites across 15 national markets in nine languages. Players use these resources to select which online gambling operators they should trust to offer a safe and honest online gambling experience. The Group’s publishing assets include the leading iGaming industry portal, Gambling.com® as well as Bookies.com and the CasinoSource℠ series of portals, among many others.

About Edison Partners
For more than 30 years, Edison Partners has been helping CEOs and their executive teams grow and scale successful companies. The firm’s investment team brings extensive investing and operating experience to each investment. Through a unique combination of growth capital and the Edison Edge platform, consisting of operating centers of excellence, the Edison Director Network, and executive education programs, Edison employs a truly integrated approach to accelerating growth and creating value for businesses. A team of experts in financial technology, healthcare IT and enterprise solution sectors, Edison targets high-growth companies with USD $5 million to $25 million in revenue; investments also include buyouts, recapitalizations, spinouts and secondary stock purchases. Edison’s active portfolio has created aggregated market value exceeding USD $10 billion. Edison Partners is based in Princeton, N.J. and manages more than USD $1.4 billion in assets throughout the eastern United States.

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Latour acquires Custom LeatherCraft Mfg. LLC.

Latour logo

Investment AB Latour has, through its fully owned subsidiary Hultafors Group AB, signed an agreement to acquire Custom LeatherCraft Mfg. LLC (“CLC”) based in Los Angeles, CA, USA. The completion of the transaction is expected to take place during the month of September, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.

CLC is an industry leading designer, developer and marketer of work gear (e.g. tool belts and softside tool carriers), personal protective equipment (e.g. kneepads and gloves), and outdoor gear. The Company was founded in 1983 and products are marketed under the CLC brand in the U.S. and the Kuny’s Leather brand in Canada. Net sales amounted to 53 MUSD in 2018 with a profitability well in line with Hultafors Group. The company has around 60 employees.

The acquisition is part of Hultafors Group’s strategy to strengthen its presence in N. America and to broaden its portfolio within attractive product categories. Through the acquisition Hultafors Group will strengthen its sales and marketing capabilities in N. America as well as reinforcing the relationships with key customers within the distribution channel.

“We are excited about this acquisition as we believe that CLC will be a substantial piece of the puzzle in realizing our N. American strategy. CLC has an unparalleled track record in product excellence, quality and innovation within its categories, making the company very well suited to be part of the Hultafors Group” says Ole Kristian Jødahl, CEO at Hultafors Group AB.

“Hultafors Group will be an excellent company for CLC to partner with given its existing product portfolio of leading brands, its strong reputation among professional users and its existing customer footprint”, says Ron Pickens, CEO of CLC.

As an effect of the acquisition the net debt (excl. IFRS 16) of Investment AB Latour is expected to increase by just over 1.0 billion SEK compared to the net debt level at the end of June 2019 as communicated in the Interim report April – June 2019.

Göteborg, August 31, 2019

INVESTMENT AB LATOUR (PUBL)
Jan Svensson, CEO

For further information, please contact:
Ole Kristian Jødahl, CEO Hultafors Group AB, +47 900 88 305
Jens Eriksson, Director, M&A and Strategy Hultafors Group AB, +46 702 114 601

Hultafors Group is one of Europe’s largest companies to supply workwear, footwear, head protection, hand tools and ladders for professional users. The products are developed, manufactured and marketed as their own brands, which are available through leading distributors in about 40 markets, with emphasis on Europe and North America. Hultafors Group has more than 800 employees and an annual turnover of more than SEK 2.6 billion.

Investment AB Latour is a mixed investment company consisting primarily of a wholly-owned industrial operations and an investment portfolio of listing holdings in which Latour is the principal owner or one of the principal owners. The investment portfolio consists of nine substantial holdings with a market value of about SEK 57 billion. The wholly-owned industrial operations had an annual turnover of about SEK 12 billion in 2018.

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Oakly Capital acquires Alessi

Oakley

Oakley Capital (“Oakley”) is pleased to announce that it has completed an investment in Alessi S.p.A (“Alessi”), the Italian high-end design business focussed on homeware products.

Alessi is an iconic homeware brand with 100 years of heritage; working with some of the world’s leading architects and designers it has captured a global audience and a well-established premium position in the market. The Alessi Juicy Salif Lemon Squeezer (designed by Philippe Starck) and Anna G Corkscrew (designed by Alessandro Mendini) are some of the most recognized homeware products in the world, with millions sold since they were launched, reinventing traditional categories with their innovative designs.

 

Alessi was fully owned by the founding family, who were looking to identify a partner to assist them in the development of the company. Oakley’s experience in supporting family and founder-owned businesses, and its expertise in the consumer sector made it an attractive partner at this stage in Alessi’s development.

Oakley’s strategy will focus on further strengthening and expanding the proposition of the brand by targeting new audiences and optimising the portfolio’s mix of products, pricing and distribution. In addition, Oakley brings deep expertise in marketing and shaping digital strategies for consumer-driven businesses (as seen with Parship Elite, Facile and Schülerhilfe).

Peter Dubens, Managing Partner of Oakley Capital, commented:

“We are delighted to become an investor in such a globally renowned brand. Alessi’s unique approach to design and product innovation makes it a highly attractive investment opportunity for Oakley. We are excited to partner with the Alessi family to support the business in the next phase of its development.”

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TA Associates Announces Strategic Growth Investment in Gong Cha Group

TA associates

BOSTON, LONDON and HONG KONG – TA Associates, a leading global growth private equity firm, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to make a strategic growth investment in the Gong Cha Group (“Gong Cha”), a leading global provider of premium quality bubble and milk tea.

The founders of Gong Cha Korea will participate in the investment alongside TA. Financial terms of the transaction, which is expected to close in early October, were not disclosed.

Gong Cha’s main offering, Taiwanese-style bubble tea, is sweet milk tea infused with pearl-shaped tapioca. The company also offers a variety of seasonal and specialty tea-based drinks. Utilizing primarily a franchise model, Gong Cha reaches consumers through a variety of retail store formats, including urban and suburban stores, as well as take-out shops, mall-based stores and kiosks, often in high traffic areas such as train and metro stations. There are more than 1,000 Gong Cha stores in 17 countries across the globe, including Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Mexico, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Gong Cha was founded in 2006 in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan.

“We are very pleased to invest in Gong Cha, a high-growth business that is among the world’s most recognized tea brands,” said Edward Sippel, a Managing Director at TA Associates and Co-head of Asia operations of TA Associates Asia Pacific Ltd. “We are incredibly impressed with how successfully the management team has grown Gong Cha into such a profitable, global business. We will work closely with management in supporting the company’s franchise partners to further Gong Cha’s strong business model. We are looking forward to this partnership and helping to grow the Gong Cha brand in new and existing markets.”

“We welcome TA Associates as investors in Gong Cha,” said Euiyeol Kim, CEO of the Gong Cha Group. “With its scale, large capital base and global footprint, TA is an ideal partner for Gong Cha at this stage in our growth. TA offers the truly deep global resources and experience that will help us further strengthen our market position and allow us to even more effectively build our leading global tea brand.”

“I am very pleased to join Gong Cha at this important juncture in the company’s evolution,” said Peter Rodwell, incoming Executive Chairman of Gong Cha. “Gong Cha’s success is a result of the management team’s persistent customer-centric focus on quality, innovation and service. I am confident that with TA’s long history of building value in growing businesses, we are poised to bring Gong Cha’s quality tea products to many more consumers around the world.” Rodwell brings more than three decades of retail food and beverage and franchising experience to the Gong Cha Group, having led McDonald’s expansion across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

“The global tea market has enjoyed steady growth over the past several years, and milk tea, including bubble tea, remains a staple beverage across Asia and increasingly around the world,” said Michael Berk, a Managing Director at TA Associates. “Globally, the tea market is estimated to be larger than that of coffee, with continued expected growth. Given these market dynamics, we believe that Gong Cha is very well-positioned to further expand the company’s presence and brand throughout the world.”

About Gong Cha Group
Founded in 2006, Gong Cha is one of the most recognized bubble and milk tea brands in the world. Gong Cha, which translates to “tribute tea for the emperor,” provides quality tea, products and services, sourcing product from select Taiwanese tea estates and offering customers freshly brewed tea every four hours. Since its founding, Gong Cha has expanded to more than 1,000 locations in 17 countries, including Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Mexico, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. For more information, please visit www.gong-cha.com/en.

About TA Associates
TA Associates is one of the most experienced global growth private equity firms. Focused on targeted sectors within five industries – technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services – TA invests in profitable, growing companies with opportunities for sustained growth, and has invested in more than 500 companies around the world. Investing as either a majority or minority investor, TA employs a long-term approach, utilizing its strategic resources to help management teams build lasting value in high quality growth companies. TA has raised $32.5 billion in capital since its founding in 1968 and is committing to new investments at the pace of over $2 billion per year. The firm’s more than 85 investment professionals are based in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. More information about TA Associates can be found at www.ta.com.

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Oakly Captial acquires Seven Miles

Oakley

Oakley Capital (“Oakley”) is pleased to announce that it has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Seven Miles GmbH (“Seven Miles”), a leading consumer technology company in the gift voucher and B2B gift card sector, partnering with its founders, Tom Schröder and Valentin Schütt.

Since it was established in Germany in 2014, Seven Miles has grown rapidly to become one of the leading physical and digital gift card networks in the DACH region, allowing consumers to purchase gift cards that can be used with more than 500 leading brands in the majority of German retailers. In 2019, Seven Miles expects to sell gift solutions in excess of €100 million. The market for multi-brand gift cards in Germany is expected to grow at over 15% in the coming years, as consumers increasingly value the convenience and flexibility that make gift cards an attractive present for many occasions.

We look forward to working with Oakley Capital. The Oakley team has a deep understanding of the sector and our business model and is a truly entrepreneurial partner who will help to accelerate the growth of our platform in the coming years.
Tom Schröder
Co-Founder, Seven Miles

Seven Miles offers a diverse range of gift card and employee incentive subscription products to both consumers and businesses. Operating under the brands ‘Wunschgutschein’, ‘WishCard’, ‘SteuersparCard’ and others, Seven Miles multi-brand gift vouchers can be redeemed at a wide variety of retailers, online, mobile, and in store. In total, its platform connects more than 500 leading brands to the majority of German retailers, covering more than 60,000 points of sale. Seven Miles also provides a range of B2B gifting solutions to corporate partners. This service, which is a fast-growing segment of the German employee incentive market, allows companies to thank, engage and reward employees with gift cards.

The investment in Seven Miles continues Oakley’s successful track record of backing founder managers in consumer technology platforms and in the DACH region. Oakley will support the current management team to create a sustainable digital platform and continue its strong growth and leadership in product innovation. This transaction further demonstrates Oakley’s ability to leverage its network, both to source opportunities and provide highly relevant expertise for its portfolio companies.

Peter Dubens, Managing Partner of Oakley Capital, commented:
“We are delighted to be partnering with Tom and Valentin. Seven Miles exhibits many of the characteristics Oakley looks for in a deal – a founder-led, high-growth business with a leading position in its niche market, and we look forward to the opportunity we have to build and develop the digital platform together.”

Valentin Schütt, Co-Founder of Seven Miles, commented:
“We founded Seven Miles five years ago. Together with Oakley, using their expertise in the digital consumer space, we want to establish Seven Miles as the market leader in the gift voucher solution space and continue to strengthen Wunschgutschein and WishCard as leading consumer brands.”

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Waterlogic establishes footprint in Belgium through acquisition of Pure Services

Castik Capital

Waterlogic, a leading global designer, manufacturer, distributor and service provider of purified drinking water dispensers, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Pure Services.

Established in 2007, Pure Services specialises in renting and servicing drinking water dispensers and fountains to small and large corporate organisations across Belgium and Luxembourg.

Founded in 1992, Waterlogic was one of the first companies to introduce Point-of-Use (POU) water dispensers that utilise the mains water supply. The company has been at the forefront of the POU market, promoting eco-friendly product design and quality, the application of new technologies, and world class service.

Veerle Claes, Managing Director, Waterlogic Benelux said, “Pure Services is the natural partner to help us establish a footprint in Belgium’s fast-growing hydration market. The company has worked tirelessly over the last 12 years to establish an outstanding reputation for exceptional service and drinking water solutions for their customers.”

Waterlogic has direct presence in 16 countries and an extensive independent global distribution network in place, reaching over 60 countries around the world. Waterlogic Belgium is part of the company’s newly formed Benelux region alongside an already established market in the Netherlands and plans to enter Luxembourg, further fulfiling its strong growth ambition in Europe.

Emmanuel Eeman, former owner of Pure Services said, “We are very excited to be joining Waterlogic. Waterlogic’s extensive range of dispensers are backed by superior technologies focused on delivering purified, great-tasting water in the most environmentally-responsible way without the need for plasic bottles, giving our customers the high quality sustainable choice they deserve.”
Waterlogic was acquired in January 2015 by funds managed by Castik Capital, the European private equity investor. Pure Services is a recent acquisition as part of the company’s buy and build strategy since the acquisition by Castik, and following substantial acquisitions in the US, UK, Australia, Spain, France, Germany, and Scandinavia.

Media Contact

Rosanna Turner, Group Marketing Communications Manager
rosanna.turner@waterlogic.com

About Waterlogic

Waterlogic is an innovative designer, manufacturer, distributor and operator of Point-Of-Use (POU) drinking water purification and dispensing systems designed for environments such as offices, factories, hospitals, hotels, schools, restaurants and other workplaces. Founded in 1992, Waterlogic was one of the first companies to introduce POU systems to customers worldwide, and has been in the forefront of the POU market, promoting product design and quality, the application of new technologies and world class sales and service. Waterlogic has its own subsidiaries in many markets and an extensive and expanding independent global distribution network in place, reaching over 60 countries around the world. Waterlogic products are currently distributed in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and South Africa. Waterlogic’s leading markets are the US, Australia and Western Europe, in particular the UK, Scandinavia, Germany and France. More information can be found at www.waterlogic.com

About Castik

Castik Capital S.à r.l (“Castik”) manages investments in private equity. Castik is a European multistrategy investment manager, acquiring significant ownership positions in European private and public companies, where long-term value can be generated through active partnerships with management teams. Founded in 2014, Castik is based in Luxembourg and focuses on identifying and developing investment opportunities across Europe. The advisor to Castik is Castik Capital Partners GmbH, based in Munich. Investments are made by the Luxembourg-based fund, EPIC I SLP, the first fund managed by Castik, which had its final fund close of EUR 1bn in July 2015.

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Scandlines completes investment gradedebt financing

3I

Scandlines, a market leading European ferry operator between Denmark and Germany, has successfully raised a €305.6million debt facility which complements the financing platform put in place in 2017.The lending group is made up of international institutional investors active in the infrastructure financing space. The structure has been rated BBB by Fitch, with a portion of the proceeds used to prepay short-dated debt. 3i will receive €98.8m as part of the refinancing.

-Ends-

3i Group plc

Silvia Santoro Shareholder enquiries

Kathryn van der Kroft Media enquiries Tel: +44 20 7975 3258

Email: silvia.santoro@3i.comTel: +44 20 7975 3021

Email: kathryn.vanderkroft@3i.com

Notes to editors:

About 3i Group

3i is a leading international investment manager focused on mid-market Private Equity and Infrastructure. Its core investment markets are northern Europe and North America.

For further information, please visit: www.3i.com

About Scandlines

Scandlines operates two short-distance ferry routes between Germany and Denmark with high frequency and large capacity. Our eight ferries provide efficient and reliable transportation services to the professional freight and private passenger markets, with more than 43,000 departures annually.

Regulatory information

This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc, advised by 3i Germany.

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Apax Funds to acquire majority stake in ADCO Group

Apax

Partnership to further strengthen ADCO’s product and service offering 

Ratingen / Germany and London / UK, August 5th, 2019: Funds advised by the global private equity advisory firm Apax Partners (the “Apax Funds”) have today announced an agreement to acquire a majority stake in ADCO Group, the global market leader in the mobile sanitary unit sector. The existing shareholders retain a significant stake. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2019, subject to regulatory approvals.

Apax Funds to acquire majority stake in ADCO Group

Founded about 45 years ago in Germany, ADCO Group operates the DIXI® and TOI TOI® brands providing portable toilet and sanitation equipment rental and services worldwide. With 49 operating companies and more than 4,000 employees, ADCO is represented in 28 countries worldwide. The company achieved a group turnover of approx. €360 million in 2018.

Apax Partners is a leading global private equity advisory firm. The Apax Funds invest globally in companies across four sectors (Tech & Telco, Services, Healthcare and Consumer) providing long-term equity financing to build or strengthen market leaders. The Funds have a long and successful track record of partnering with route-based services businesses operating in Europe (e.g. SafetyKleen, Rhiag Group, Sulo), North America (e.g. Tosca Services) and globally (e.g. IFCO Systems, Garda World).

Apax will leverage this experience to support management with ADCO’s growth plans. This will include strengthening the company’s portfolio in existing markets, as well as identifying and realising new areas for development.

Renate Gerstenberg, CEO of ADCO Group, said: “We are very pleased to partner with Apax, who will support us alongside our existing shareholders in providing a long-term growth perspective for our company. This allows us to take the next step in developing our successful business model and investing even more in internationalisation and digitalisation. Together, we will lead ADCO into a prosperous future and continue to offer our customers innovative high-quality products and solutions, while also ensuring the company remains a great place to work for our employees.”

Frank Ehmer, Partner at Apax Partners, said: “ADCO is a great example of our strategy: backing successful, market-leading companies where our sub-sector insights, operating capabilities, and global platform can help them grow further. We are delighted to partner with the ADCO management team and its committed employees and look forward to supporting the company accelerate growth.”

Citigroup served as financial advisor to the shareholders of ADCO Group in the transaction. KWM Europe Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH supported the shareholders of ADCO Group as legal advisor, and Ernst & Young with due diligence. Houlihan Lokey provided financial advice to Apax Partners regarding the transaction and Kirkland & Ellis acted as Apax Partners’ legal counsel.

About ADCO Group

With group turnover of approx. €360 million and a worldwide presence, ADCO Umweltdienste Holding GmbH is a global leader in the mobile sanitary solutions sector. The TOI TOI® and DIXI® brands are managed by the ADCO Group. From the simple toilet cabin to the luxury container with its choice of furnishings, ADCO can offer tailored solutions to a variety of customers, covering everything from consultancy and planning to implementation and service, as well as professional and environmentally responsible disposal.

As an experienced full-service provider, the company is represented in Europe, as well as the Southeastern US and Southeast Asia with around 300,000 sanitary units. The DIXI® brand represents simplicity and practicality: the original all-purpose product. The TOI TOI® sanitary containers promise greater comfort, design and luxury.  Products range from the simple single toilet cabin to the urinal, and the VIP toilet wagon to the superior sanitary container.

ADCO consistently focuses on developing innovative products and services for its customers.  The Company is regularly innovating and improving its range of sanitary solutions in order to meet increasingly demanding customer requirements. Whether for private parties, events of all shapes and sizes, small building projects or large construction sites, the ADCO Group can always provide the right sanitary solution.

All TOI TOI & DIXI companies in Germany are state-certified waste-management companies and certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001.

About Apax Partners

Apax Partners is a leading global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 40-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of c.$50 billion. The Apax Funds invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech & Telco, Services, Healthcare and Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For more information see: www.apax.com.

For media inquiries please contact:

For ADCO: Fuchs & Cie. GmbH

Felix Scholtysik
Partner
Phone: +49 69 1532405 52
Mobile: +49 173 4259257
Email: felix.scholtysik@fuchs-cie.de

For Apax Partners 

Global Media
Andrew Kenny
Apax Partners
Tel: +44 20 7 872 6371
Email: andrew.kenny@apax.com

US Media
Todd Fogarty
Kekst
Tel: +1 212-521 4854
Email: todd.fogarty@kekst.com

UK Media
James Madsen / Gina Bell
Greenbrook
Tel: +44 20 7952 2000
Email: apax@greenbrookpr.com

Notes to Editors:

London-headquartered Apax Partners (www.apax.com), and Paris-headquartered Apax Partners (www.apax.fr) had a shared history but are separate, independent private equity firms.

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KKR and Campbell Soup Company Sign Definitive Agreement for Sale of Arnott’s and Certain Campbell International Operations for $2.2 Billion

KKR

  • KKR to acquire portfolio that includes iconic Arnott’s biscuits and Campbell’s simple meals and snacking brands in markets including Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, and manufacturing operations in Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia
  • Investment to transition certain Campbell International operations to a standalone company with access to significant capital and operational resources to support long-term growth and innovation

SYDNEY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 2, 2019– Global investment firm KKR and Campbell Soup Company (“Campbell”) today announced the signing of a stock and asset purchase agreement under which KKR will acquire certain international operations from Campbell (“Campbell International”) for an enterprise value of approximately US$2.2 billion.

Campbell International is a high-quality business that includes snacking and meal brands in the Asia Pacific region with leading manufacturing capabilities and distribution channels in attractive core markets. The majority of Campbell International’s sales are generated by Arnott’s, the iconic Australian biscuit brand with over 150 years of heritage. Arnott’s commitment to quality, innovation and manufacturing excellence is a hallmark of the business, alongside its product range of household names including Tim Tam and Shapes. Campbell International also comprises the regional portfolio of Campbell brands spanning soup, stock, juice and ready meals in markets including Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. KKR will also acquire Campbell International’s manufacturing operations in Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Under the terms of the agreement, KKR and Campbell will enter into a long-term licensing arrangement for the exclusive rights to use certain Campbell brands, including Campbell’s, Swanson, V8, Prego, Chunky and Campbell’sReal Stock, in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and other select markets in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

David Lang, Member at KKR, said, “Campbell International represents a unique portfolio of iconic brands that are known and loved by consumers in Australia and across the world. We are privileged and excited to have the opportunity to invest in and grow Arnott’s as an independent business in Australia, in addition to further developing Campbell’s trusted brands across the broader Asian market. This is a milestone investment for KKR, and we look forward to working closely with the Campbell International management team to seek out new and exciting opportunities.”

KKR is making its investment primarily through its Core Investments strategy, which represents capital targeting longer-term opportunities. The Transaction is expected to close within the next six months, subject to customary closing conditions. Further details of the transaction are not disclosed.

KKR was advised by Jefferies, as its financial advisor, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Allens, as its legal counsels.

About Campbell International

Campbell International’s operations include Campbell’s simple meals businesses in Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan, and manufacturing in Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia. The centerpiece of the business is Arnott’s, which Campbell acquired in 1997, and is one of Australia’s most iconic brands. Arnott’s regional headquarters are based in Sydney with operations in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Indonesia. Arnott’s and Campbell International operations (excluding the Kelsen Group) had combined net sales of approximately $885 million in the latest 12 months and employ approximately 3,800 people.

About Campbell Soup Company

Campbell (NYSE:CPB) is driven and inspired by our Purpose, “Real food that matters for life’s moments.” For generations, people have trusted Campbell to provide authentic, flavorful and affordable snacks, soups and simple meals, and beverages. Founded in 1869, Campbell has a heritage of giving back and acting as a good steward of the planet’s natural resources. The company is a member of the Standard and Poor’s 500 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. For more information, visit www.campbellsoupcompany.com or follow company news on Twitter via @CampbellSoupCo.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate and credit, with strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns for its fund investors by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation with KKR portfolio companies. KKR invests its own capital alongside the capital it manages for fund investors and provides financing solutions and investment opportunities through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc (NYSE:KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

Source: KKR

Media Contact:
KKR Asia Pacific:
Anita Davis, +852 3602 7335
Anita.Davis@KKR.com
Or
Miles Radcliffe-Trenner (Sard Verbinnen & Co.), +852 3842-2200
KKR-SVC@sardverb.com

KKR Americas
Kristi Huller / Cara Major, +1 212-750-8300
Media@KKR.com

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KPN Ventures provides growth capital to smart home alarm developer Minut

Kpn Ventures

Posted at 29 Jul 14:00h in Connected Home, News by KPN Ventures

Rotterdam, July 1, 2019 – KPN Ventures, the venture capital investment arm of KPN, announced today it has participated in the $8M Series A financing round in Minut, a Swedish tech startup that makes the Point smart home alarm. The round was led by KPN Ventures, with participation from previous backers Karma Ventures, SOSV and Nordic Makers, joined by strategic partner Centrica, bringing the total amount of funding over $10 million.

Minut has created the first complete smart alarm to keep your home safe and sound through a single device. The company has already sold devices in more than 60 countries with a growing team and new office based in London. The new capital will be used to accelerate growth across markets and to strengthen the product portfolio.

Minut has made protecting homes more accessible than ever before. Installation takes seconds with no drilling or cables to run and the app is easy to use for the whole family. The Minut smart home alarm analyses the environment and any motion or sound will be identified and alerts houseowners to threats through instant notifications. Through the use of machine-learning the sound recognition is continuously improved by the Minut community, making the system even better over time.

Nils Mattisson, CEO/co-founder of Minute: “Feeling safe shouldn’t be a luxury, or come at the cost of privacy. Until recently the most affordable solution for home security and monitoring has been Wi-Fi connected cameras, but people don’t want or trust them in their homes. Our aim is to make home security and monitoring accessible to everyone and we are excited to have KPN Ventures on board in this journey.”

Herman Kienhuis, Director of KPN Ventures said: “With their innovative ‘Point’ device, The Minut team has executed on the vision to make home security smart, simple and accessible for everybody. KPN powers the connected home and we see great opportunities to partner with Minut to help people protect their homes.”

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